5340 - STUDENT ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS/CONCUSSION & SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST
The Board believes that school personnel have certain responsibilities in case of accidents or concussions that occur in school or during school-sponsored events. Said responsibilities extend to the administration of first aid by persons trained to do so, summoning of medical assistance, notification of administration personnel, notification of parents, and the filing of accident reports.
Accidents
Employees should administer first aid within the limits of their knowledge of recommended practices. All employees should make an effort to increase their understanding of the proper steps to be taken in the event of an accident. However, any staff member or volunteer who, in good faith, renders emergency care to a student is immune from civil liability for his/her acts or omissions in rendering such emergency care.
The District Administrator may provide for an in-service program on first aid and CPR procedures.
The administrator in charge must submit an accident report to the District Administrator on all accidents.
Illness
School personnel shall not diagnose illness or administer medication of any kind except in accordance with Policy 5330.
Concussion
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. Concussions occur when there is a blow to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the head and causes any change in behavior, thinking, or physical functioning. Concussions are not limited to situations involving loss of consciousness. Some symptoms of a concussion include headache, nausea, confusion, memory difficulties, dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty sleeping.
At the beginning of a season of any athletic sport, the Athletic Director shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to each coach and to each student participant. No student will be permitted to participate in any athletic activity unless that student, or if the student is under age nineteen (19), then the student's parent, has returned a signed concussion and head injury information sheet. A student is only required to return one (1) signed sheet per school year in order to participate in athletics.
A coach shall remove from competition or practice any student that the coach determines is exhibiting signs, symptoms, or behavior consistent with a concussion or head injury or who the coach suspects has sustained a concussion or head injury. Any student removed from participation under this section may not return to participation until a written release to participate from a health care professional is provided.
Further, parents who inform coaches and teachers that their child is being treated by a healthcare professional for a concussion must provide written clearance from that healthcare professional for full or limited participation in class, practice, activity, or competition. Prior to receiving written clearance from a healthcare professional, students who have sustained a concussion may not participate in any school-related physical activities.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical event that involves a sudden increase in the heart's ventricular beat that prevents the heart from distributing blood to the brain, lungs, and other organs. It occurs without warning and in youth athletics participants who appear healthy and have passed pre-participation physical examinations. Severe damage and death can occur very quickly without immediate treatment.
In an effort to educate parents, students, and coaches regarding this condition, information regarding sudden cardiac arrest shall be included along with distribution of the required information concerning concussions and shall be distributed to all participants age 12 and older and to coaches prior to participation on youth athletic activity. The information shall contain the following information as provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA):
- information about the risks associated continuing to participate in a youth activity after experiencing one (1) or more symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, including fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness, and abnormal racing heart rate;
- information about electrocardiogram testing, including the potential risks, benefits, and evidentiary basis behind electrocardiogram testing; and
- information how to request, from a student's health care provider, the administration of an electrocardiogram in addition to a comprehensive physical examination.
Revised 9/8/14
Revised 12/16/19
Revised 5/1/23
T.C. 3/4/25
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